Follow the Money: See which candidates took money from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce this quarter

The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce has a long history of defending the Capitalist Class and shitting on the rest of us. 

The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce created the West Michigan Policy Forum in 2010, which is made up of members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, for the purpose of crafting economic policies that will benefit those with deep pockets. GRIID has been monitoring their efforts over the past 14 years.

In recent years, the GR Chamber of Commerce has backed every major development project in downtown Grand Rapids, projects that have utilized hundreds of millions of public dollars, even though the public has had no say in these projects.

In addition, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce first proposed in 2022, policies that would criminalize the unhoused, followed by a letter of over 100 signatures from their friends. In July of 2023, the City of Grand Rapids would then adopt two ordinances that were very similar to what the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce had proposed 8 months earlier. 

With a clear commitment to supporting policies and candidates that will best serve the interests of those who are already well off, why would any candidate be willing to take money from the GR Chamber’s PAC, the Friends of West Michigan Business? What is that churchy saying……you can’t serve two masters.

Based on the most recent quarterly filing for campaign finances, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAC made contributions 13 contributions, 10 of which went to candidates that will be on the November 5th ballot. I am listing all 10 recipients of the GR Chamber of Commerce money, what seat they are running for, followed by the amount.

• Dean Pacific: 1st Ward Grand Rapids City Commission – $7075.00
• Tommy Brann: 83rd District State Representative – $2500.00
• Richard Williamson: GRPS Board of Education – $1000.00
• David LaGrand: Mayor of Grand Rapids – $1000.00
• Aric Nesbitt: 20th District State Senate – $1,000.00
• Arick Davis: GRPS Board of Education – $1000.00
• House Republican Campaign Committee – $1000.00
• Posthumus Majority Fund – $500.00
• Carol Glanville: 84th State Representative – $250.00
• Dan Burrill: 8th District Kent County Commission – $250.00